Integral stud and bracket standard and the assembly thereof in a wall construction

ABSTRACT

A stud and wall assembly constructed therewith for supporting shelf brackets and the like, the stud having as an integral part thereof, both a slotted flange for engaging shelf brackets, and as an extension of the flange, flat surfaces for engaging partition members which make up the wall. The slotted portion of the flange may be recessed within the stud or projected therefrom, so as to conceal or expose, respectively, the slotted portion. Additional bracket-supporting hooks can be extruded as part of the flange. The over-all cross-sectional configuration of most of the embodiments of the stud is an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;H&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;-shaped configuration.

United States Patent 1191 Nelsson 1 1 Dec. 18, 1973 1 INTEGRAL STUD ANDBRACKET 3,429,090 2 1969 Metelnick 52/481 STANDARD AND THE ASSEMBLY3,509,669 5/1970 Plemeng 52/36 3,517,467 6 1970 Propst et a1 52/36THEREOF IN A WALL CONSTRUCTION 3,562,970 2/1971 Schwartz 52/481 XInventor: Nels Nelsson, Des Plaines, Ill.

Assignee: United States Gypsum, Chicago, 111.

Filed: Sept. 12, 1972 App1, No.: 288,450

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 79,580, Oct. 9, 1970,Pat. No. 3,712.015.

US. Cl. 52/36, 52/481 Int. Cl E041) 2/32 Field of Search 52/241, 481,36,

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 12/1957 Solomon 52/290 12/1962Dahme 52/732 X Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney-Dana M.Schmidt ABSTRACT A stud and wall assembly constructed therewith forsupporting shelf brackets and the like, the stud having as an integralpart thereof, both a slotted flange for engaging shelf brackets, and asan extension of the flange, flat surfaces for engaging partition memberswhich make up the wall. The slotted portion of the flange may berecessed within the stud or projected therefrom, so as to conceal orexpose, respectively, the slotted portion. Additional bracket-supportinghooks can be extruded as part of the flange. The overall cross-sectionalconfiguration of most of the embodiments of the stud is an H"-shapedconfiguration.

8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEB DEC 18 I973 SHEET 10$ 3 INTEGRALSTUD AND BRACKET STANDARD AND THE ASSEMBLY THEREOF IN A WALLCONSTRUCTION This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 79,580 filedOct. 9, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,712,015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional drywall constructions providefor the wall attachment of shelves and other heavy articles generally bythe location of bracket standards in conjunction with the joint of twowallboards and the stud mounting these wallboards. This is necessitatedby the inability of the wallboards to support a significant loaddirectly, and also by the convenience and occassional necessity ofmounting the wallboards so as to be removable or demountable without thebrackets having been attached directly thereto. On the other hand, thestrength and general permanence of the supporting web portion of thestuds have permitted the standards to be structurally attached to and/prdependent thereupon, but only as separate articles independentlymanufactured.

Thus, the bracket standard has heretofore generally been a separatemember which is mounted in place with the stud only by the use of alarge number of components. For example, one construction requires,apart from the wallboard panels and shelf brackets, two studs, twoseparate bracket standards, two fillers, an 8" shaped web, supportchannels for the studs, four metal edges for the wallboard panels, andfour screws mounting the panels in place; in all 17 components. In theconstruction utilizing these parts, all but the screws and metal edgesmust be mounted between the two studs which are to support the fourpanels. Such a construction puts a premium on miniaturization, as thestuds so joined must preferably have a minimum longitudinal extension.Such miniaturization and a large collection of parts complicate theassembly, making it tedious, time consuming, and expensive at best.

Yet another conventional bracket standard requires it to be attachedafter the wall has otherwise been assembled. Such independent erectionof the standard is time consuming and may depend, for successfulerection, upon accurate placement of the standard with respect to thenow-covered studs. For example, it may be necessary to screw-attach thestandard to the stud underneath the wallboard. Where considerable effortis made, as in many cases, to hide the joints on the finished wallassembly with a filler, the later accurate location of the studs maybecome a guessing game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The disclosure relates to an improved stud andthe assembly of this stud in a demountable drywall construction whereinthe bracket standard for mounting shelves and the like and the studcooperate in the engagement of the partition members to form the wall.Preferably, this is accomplished by making the standard an integral partof the stud, and specifically the part connecting the central web to theends of the stud which engage the partition members. Thus, there isprovided a stud having a central supporting web portion and a flangeextending at an angle therefrom, the improvement featuring a portion ofthe flange having vertically spaced therealong means for removablyaccommodating shelf brackets. The integral stud and standard combinationis provided in a variety of different stud configurations, most of whichgenerally have an H"-shaped cross-sectional configuration. This varietyessentially eliminates the need for adaptor components for other typesof studs. Means are also provided at at least one integral extension ofthe flange to engage the partition members comprising the wall, theengaging means being especially shaped and dimensioned to support thepartition members without the use of additional components such asscrews.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bracketsupporting stud and a demountable wall assembly utilizing this stud tomount brackets wherein a reduced number of component parts is necessaryfor the assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a stud and assemblywherein the bracket standard is an integral part of the stud, regardlessof the particular type of stud involved.

It is a related object of the invention to provide such a stud and wallconstruction formed thereby which are inexpensive to manufacture andsimple to install.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a stud and thewall construction assembled therefrom which will permit the standardportion of the stud to be concealed or exposed, as desired.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a stud and wallconstruction wherein the completion of the assembly of the wallcomponents automatically provides for the incorporation of brackets.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent on reference to thefollowing drawings and detailed discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partiallybroken away perspective view of a demountable wall constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectioned elevational view illustrating theassembly of the wall at the floor runner;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line IIIIII ofFIG. 2, the runners and the shelf brackets having been eliminated forclarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary and elevational view of the stud and wall shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 butillustrating an alternate embodiment of the inventron;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view similar to FIG. 4 but ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectioned elevational view of the wallconstructed in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectioned perspective view of yet anotheralternate embodiment of the stud and the wall assembly constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views of. studs which arealternate embodiments of that shown in FIG. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional ,view similar to FIGS. 3 and 5 butillustrating still another alternate embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, thedemountable wall assembly 20 of the invention features conventionalceil- This meaning is to be contrasted with the meaning for the wordinter-engage and its other forms, which word is intended in which bothparts are so especially formed. I

The outwardly facing surface 27 of the board which is to be exposed whenthe wall is assembled may or may not have special decorative effectsthereon.

The floor runner 28 conventionally engages the bot I tom edges 29 of thewallboard 26 by means of screws 30 which pass through both the runnerand the partition members and also through external metal clips 32. Abase 34 can be used to cover the screw-attached bases. The structuralsupport of the partition members 26 is provided by studs 35 and 40. Theformer are conventional metallic channels which support the interiorsurfaces of the partition members 26 either removably or by adheringthereto by means of adhesive. Conven tional brackets such as shelfbrackets 36 are associated with the wall assembly at the joints thereoffor supporting loads. It will be readily appreciated that bracketsperforming other functions, such as the mounting of cabinets, can alsobe .used and mounted in a manner more fullydescribed hereinafter.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention the brackets 36 aredirectly inserted into and directly structurally supported andaccomodated by the studs 40 without the need for a separate standard.This is accomplished by combining into a single piece the standard andthe structure which engages the partition members. Preferably, this isaccomplished in a manner which will now be discussed. Turning now toFIGS. 3 and 4, the particular embodiment shown therein comprises a stud40 having a central vertically extending supporting web portion .42,having legs or flanges 44 and 46 integrally extending from opposite edgeportions 48 of the web portion at an angle thereto. Specifically, eachof the flanges 44 and 46 extends beyond both sides of the web portiongenerally perpendicular thereto and parallel to each other so as to giveto the stud 40 a generally I-l" shaped cross-sectional configuration; Aportion 60 of the flanges located at a point between the ends or edges62 of the flanges is provided with vertically spaced slots 64 which areespecially positioned and shaped to accomodate the barckets 36. Theslots 64 are necessarily offset from the web portion. To engage themembers 26, the ends 62 are especially positioned and shaped toaccomodate the brackets 36. The slots 64 are necessarily offset from theweb portion 42 a slight amount to permit the end of the bracket to beinserted thereinto. The amount of offset is not critical; for example,the inside edge of the slot can be flush with the web portion. To engagethe members 26, the ends 62 are especially provided with a flat innersurface 66 which abuts the outwardly facing surface 27 of the partitionmembers. The engagement of the members 26 by the stud 40 is completed bya sec- 0nd set of flanges 68 and 70 which project from both sides of webportion 42 at the edges 48 thereof generally parallel to flanges 44 and46 but spaced interiorly therefrom an amount which will just accommodatethe thickness of a partition member. Each of the flanges 68 and 70 has aflat reinforcing surface 72 which abuts against the interior surface ofthe member 26, thus forming with flanges 44 and 46 a track-like memberthe two parts of which accomodate the partition member 26. The spacingof the flanges 44, and 68 and 70 defines a leg in the edge 48 the lengthof which must not be a greater than the thickness of the partitionmembers 26. The member 26 is thus engaged so that the slotted portion 60projects outwardly from the plane of surface 72. The abutting surfaces66 and 72 are thus covered, while, as shown in FIG. 1, the slottedportion 60 of the flanges 44 and 46are exposed. A shoulder 74 projectsfrom the surface 72 into the partition memberaccomodating space toterminate the insertion of the member 26 short of the space reserved forthe end of the bracket 36.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, to permit unusedslotted portions 60 to be covered, the opposite, exposed surface of theends 62 of the flanges 44 and 46 include projecting ridges 78. Awallboard tape of conventional material such as vinyl and which isdimensioned to fit between said ridges is thus removably held in placeby a backing over those slots 64 which are not intended to supportbrackets.

Thus, the above-described embodiment preferably has a plane of symmetrywhich extends longitudinally through the approximate center 86 of theweb portion 42, so that the opposite edge portions 48 and all theflanges extending therefrom are mirror images of each other.Specifically, flange 46 is the mirror image of flange 44, having theidentical function of interengagement with, and support of brackets, andengagement with opposite partition members. This mirror imageconstruction simplifies installation as no one end or one side of thestud is unique or requires a specified location.

The stud 40 shaped in the above fashion is preferably metallic, andtherefore can be manufactured by a variety of techniques, of whichextrusion is one example.

The assembly of the components to form the wall assembly 20 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 requires simply the mounting of an end stud 40 withrespect to the floor or ceiling runner, and the placement of the firstpartition members 26 in an oppositely positioned pair which are engagedwithin the first stud and the ceiling runner 22. After the first members26 are fixed to the floor runner, the next stud is engaged with the edgeof the first sections 26, and the process repeated. As shown in FIG. 2,it is not necessary that the stud 40 be fixed such as by screws to thefloor runner 28. Instead, the stud need only be mounted thereabove,preferably resting upon the base 34. Because of the aforedescribedconstruction wherein the standard is an integral part of the stud, theparts necessary to mount the brackets have been considerably reduced,resulting in a substantial savings of manufacturing cost and time ofassembly. The elimination of components heretofore used to adapt thestandards to the studs also avoids the need for miniaturization.Instead, the stud 40 provides all of the supporting, attaching, andbracket-engaging functions heretofore provided by the stud, saidcomponents, and a bracket standard, respectively. Furthermore, theassembly of the complete wall thus automatically and readily providesthe bracket standards for the support of brackets, should they be neededat a later date.

FIGS. 5 7 illustrate an alternate form of the embodiment shown in FlGS.1-4, wherein the stud is shaped to accomodate an additional supportelement. Parts similar to those previously described bear the samereference numeral to which the distinguishing suffix a has been added.Thus, stud 40a has a central supporting web portion 42a the oppositeedges 48a of which each have integrally extended therefrom at an anglethereto from both sides of the web portion a flange or leg 44a and 46a.Thus, as in the previous embodiment the cross-sectional appearance ofthe stud is generally one of an H shape due to the approximateperpendicularity of the flanges to the web portion 42a. A centralportion 60a of these flanges spaced from the edges 62a of the flange isprovided with slots 64a shaped as in the previous embodiment tointerengage with brackets for shelves and the like. The offsetrelationship of the slots 64a from the web portion 42a is accomplishedin this case by extending the flanges 44a and 46a considerably more fromone side of the web portion 42a than from the other.

To engage the partition members, the studs 40a are formed in thefollowing manner. The edges 62a are extruded so as to turn outwardlyaway from the plane of the flange portion a, and are each split into atrackshaped element having two flat rails 92 and 94. The interiorsurfaces of the rails abut against the exterior surface 27 and theinterior surface of a partition member. The interior rails 94 serve toreinforce the back surface of the partition members 26 abuttedthereagainst. I

It is thus apparent that, when assembled in a wall, the stud 40a mountsthe partition members 26 so that the slotted portion 60a is recessed andgenerally hidden from view. This effect is further enhanced by formingthe extreme ends of the flanges 44a and 46a so as to form two verticallyextended rows 96 an 98 of hooks inwardly faced towards the flanges. Thehooks serve the additional function of guides for an additional supportelement 100 which is slidably interengaged by the hooks within theturned-out edges 62a of the flanges 44a and 46a. The support element 100conventionally comprises a bolt head 102 having parallel grooves 104spaced along one'face thereof for accommodating the hooks 96 and 98, aspring 106 for biasing the bolt head against the hooks to hold element100 in a desired portion, and a bolt 108 projecting from the head forinterengagement with a shelf or the like. Thus, the stud 40a isintegrally formed with structure which will interengage and support twodifferent types of mounting elements for shelves and the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates one method of assemblying stud 40a within a wall.Because of the additional loads likely to be incurred through the use ofthe additional supporting elements 100, it is preferred that the studs40a be attached by means such as bolts and 122 to the ceiling and floorrunners 22a and 28 a respectively. The floor runner can be furthermodified so that the studs 40a and the partition members 26 arecompletely inserted therewithin. In that event the stud 40a should havea notch 128 formed near the bottom edges 130 thereof, to permit theclips 34a to fit flush against the partition members 26 as opposed tobeing bent outwardly around the rails 92.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the bracket-engaging studof the invention, which stud is designed for a different type, thickerpartition member. Parts similar to those previously described bear thesame reference numeral to which the distinguishing suffix b has beenadded. Thus, the partition members 26b forming wall assembly 20bcomprise a conventional wall board panel of substantially thickerdimensions, the vertical edges of which have kerfs 142 formed therein. Arepresentative thickness of the panel is three-fourths of an inch. Thestud 40b comprises a central supporting web portion 42b and flanges 44band 46b extending angularly from both sides of the opposite edgeportions thereof approximately perpendicular to portion 42b andgenerally parallel to each other. Each flange has two extensions and160, each projecting from one'of the two sides of the web portion 42b.One extension or part 150 of the flanges 44b and 46b is formed with aportion 60b which projects outwardly from the plane of the rest of thepart 150. It is this portion 60b which is slotted with openings 64b toreceive the brackets, as in the previous embodiment. The remainder oredge 152 or part 150 is bent back generally to lie in the plane of theextension 160. The edge 152 of the extension 150, and the extension areshaped to be essentially flat, providing the means necessary forinterengaging the interior of the kerfs 142. The over-allcross-sectional configuration of the stud 40b, as in the previousembodiments, thus is H-shaped.

By the above construction, as shown with flange 46b, the partitionmembers 26b are mounted with exterior surfaces 26b that are flush withthe exposed slotted por- -tion 60b, the partition member-engagingportions of the flanges 44b and 46b being hidden from view. For thisconfiguration of the assembly, the outward projection of the slottedportion 60b from the remainder 152 of the extension 150, and from theextension 160, is approximately 0.375 of an inch for partition membershaving a total thickness of 0.75 of an inch.

The stud 40b may be floating, i.e., notstructurally dependent in any wayupon the floor or ceiling runners; or it may rest upon or be fixed tothe floor runner, and- /or fixed to the ceiling runner. The stud mayprovide additional support to the back surface of the partition membersin the form of knock-out'tabs, not shown.

A number of fabricating methods will be readily apparent for the stud40b. Preferred examples, in the case where the stud is preferablymetallic, are extrusion and roll forming. Thereafter, the slots oropenings 64b can be punched or otherwise machined out.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate alternate forms of the embodiment of thebracket-engaging stud shown in FIG. 8, the stud being altered toaccommodate both the brackets and the partition members in differentpositional relationships. Parts similar to those previously describedbear the same reference numeral to which the distinguishing suffixes cand d, respectively, have been added.

Thus, FIG. 9 illustrates a stud 40c identical to the stud 40b exceptthat the extension 150C and the remainder or edge 152a thereof are allin the plane of the extension 160e, thereby providing completely flatflanges 44c and 460. Because the edge 152a and the extension 1600 areinterengaged within the kerf 142 of the two partition members, as shown,flanges 44c and 460 result in the slots 640 of the slotted portion 600of extension 1500 being at least partially hidden by partition members.

' In FIG. 10, the slotted portion 60d of the flanges 44d and 46d of thestud 40d is recessed even more from view. The extension 150d is itselfrecessed with respect to the edge portion 152d thereof, which along withthe extension 160d lie in a common plane which projects considerablyoutwardly beyond the slotted portion 60d. This construction furtherinsures that the slotted portion 6011! will be hidden by the partitionmembers interengaged at their kerfs 142 by the flanges of the stud.

FIG. 11 illustrates a form of the stud similar to the stud shown in FIG.9 and which is closely allied to the one of the floating studs disclosedand claimed in my copending U.S. application Ser. No. 77,997, filed onOct. 9, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,657. Parts simithe , lar to thosepreviously described bear the same reference numeral to which thedistinguishing suffix 2 has been added. Thus stud 402 is characterizedby a single partition-member interengaging flange 442, the extension1602 of which is the only portion especially shaped and dimensioned tofit within the kerf 142 of the partition member 262. Thus the stud 402interengages only one such partition member, permitting selectiveassembly and disassembly of the wall 202 without disturbing otherneighboring partition members. The extension 1502 is shortened comparedto the previous embodiments, so as to comprise solely the slottedportion 602. Yet another difference in stud 402 is the provision of asurface 170 at the edge48e of the web portion 422 which is especiallyshaped and adapted so as to rest against and abut in a supportive,non-interengaging fashion, the back surface of the opposite partitionmember. As shown, the surface 170 is preferably a flange of short lengthbent at the edge 482 so as to be properly spaced from the flange 442,i.e., spaced a distance approximately equal to the distance from themidpoint of one side of the wall 202 to the back surface of the oppositeside of the wall. A knock-out tab 172 may be used to reinforce the backsurface of the member 262, but it is not essential.

Because the stud 402 is interengaged with only one partition member, itis necessary that a second stud 180 be positioned adjacent to stud 402generally back-toback therewith to interengage the adjacent partitionmember forming that side ofthe wall 202. The stud 180 is preferablyidentical with one of the embodiments shown and claimed in my aforesaidcopending application. Accordingly, the specification of thatapplication is incorporated herewith. The stud 180 can thus becharacterized as having a kerf-engaging flange 182 projecting at anangle from the web portion 184, and generally perpendicular thereto. Aknock-out tab 186 reinforces the back surface of the partition member262 interengaged by the stud 180. A second flange 190 projecting fromthe edge portion of the web 184 opposite to the flange 182 and generallyparallel to that flange provides the same limited function as doesflange 170 for the stud 402.

The extension 1502 of the flange 442 of necessity must be spaced from,or at least not covered by, the flange 182 of the stud 180. Accordingly,the two studs 402 and 180 are preferably spaced apart by a shim orchannel 200 to which one of the studs may be anchored. if it is desiredthat selective removai of a partition member not be possible, the shim200 may be anchored to both the studs by a single bolt (not shown).

It will be readily apparent that the embodiment of FIG. 1 1 results inthe slotted portion 602 being recessed from view in a manner similar tothat shown in FIG. 9. it will also be recognized by those skilled in theart that any of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 can bemanufactured preferably from suitable metal by the techniques listed forthe embodiment of FIG. 8.

it will thus be recognized that, in accordance with yet another aspectof the invention, a great variety of differently shaped studs can beprovided wherein the bracket standard is an integral part thereof. Theslotted portion supporting the brackets can be exposed or covered. Evenstuds each of which is adapted to interengage only a single partitionmember can be so constructed. Thus, the invention is suitable in avariety of construction assemblies so that the attendant savings inmanufacturing cost and time of assembly can be extended to manydifferent types of wall construction.

Although this application sets forth certain preferred embodiments, itis not intended that the invention be limited thereto. Rather, it isintended that the invention cover all alternatives, alternatearrangements, and embodiments as may be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as exclusive property is:

l. A wall assembly having a minimum number of parts comprising ceilingand floor runners, partition members and a plurality of studs removablymounted with respect to the runners, the studs being removably engagedwith said members, and brackets extending outwardly from at least someof said studs, said studs each being characterized by a support web, atleast one flange integrally extending from at least one edge of said webat an :angle thereto, means associated with said flange for engagingsaid stud with at least one of the members, and means integrally mountedon and vertically spaced along a portion of said flange for removablyaccommodating some of the brackets, said accommodating means beingoffset from the web portion.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said accommodating meansinclude vertically spaced slots in said flange portion especiallypositioned and shaped to accomodate some of said brackets insertedtherein.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said flange extendsbeyond both sides of said web portion, one of the extensions of saidflange including said slotted portion.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 1, and further including meansassociated with said flange for engaging one of the studs with at leastone of said members.

5. The assembly as deflned in claim 4, and further including a secondflange projecting at an angle to said web portion, said second flangeabutting in a noninterengaging fashion the back surface only of apartition member opposite to said one member.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, and further including means forcovering said accommodating means I where brackets are not desired.

7. A wall assembly having a minimum number of parts, comprising ceilingand floor runners, partition members removably fixed to the runners, aplurality of studs removably mounted with respect to the runners andremovably engaged with said members, and brackets extending from atleast some of said studs, said studs each being characterized by achannel having a central web portion and legs, said web and said legsdefining a generally H "-shaped cross sectional configuration,

said legs having as integral extensions of their ends means for engagingsaid partition members and at points between said ends and offset fromsaid web means for accommodating said brackets.

8. In a wall assembly having a limited number of parts which includeceiling and floor runners, partition members and studs removably mountedwith respect to the runners, and brackets extending outwardly from atleast some of said studs, each of said studs having a support web and atleast one flange extending from each edge of the web, one surface ofsaid flange being abutted against the back surface of at least one ofthe partipartition members.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 2.77892jehemher 184 M272 lnventofls) Nels Nelsson It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 20, "and/pr" should read and/or Column 2, line 43,"fragmentaryand elevational view should read fragmentary end elevationalview Column 3, line 7, "convered" should read covered Column 3, line 55,"barckets 36" should read brackets "36 Column 5, line 10, an" shouldread and Column 6, line 33, "surfaces 26b" should read surfaces Signedand sealed this 6th day of August 197A.

' (SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. I C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents ORM Do-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 6O376-P69 U.ST GOVERNMENTPRINTlNG OFFICE Z IQD 0-355-33.

1. A wall assembly having a minimum number of parts comprising ceiling and floor runners, partition members and a plurality of studs removably mounted with respect to the runners, the studs being removably engaged with said members, and brackets extending outwardly from at least some of said studs, said studs each being characterized by a support web, at least one flange integrally extending from at least one edge of said web at an angle thereto, means associated with said flange for engaging said stud with at least one of the members, and means integrally mounted on and vertically spaced along a portion of said flange for removably accommodating some of the brackets, said accommodating means being offset from the web portion.
 2. The assembly as defined in claIm 1, wherein said accommodating means include vertically spaced slots in said flange portion especially positioned and shaped to accomodate some of said brackets inserted therein.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said flange extends beyond both sides of said web portion, one of the extensions of said flange including said slotted portion.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1, and further including means associated with said flange for engaging one of the studs with at least one of said members.
 5. The assembly as defined in claim 4, and further including a second flange projecting at an angle to said web portion, said second flange abutting in a non-interengaging fashion the back surface only of a partition member opposite to said one member.
 6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, and further including means for covering said accommodating means where brackets are not desired.
 7. A wall assembly having a minimum number of parts, comprising ceiling and floor runners, partition members removably fixed to the runners, a plurality of studs removably mounted with respect to the runners and removably engaged with said members, and brackets extending from at least some of said studs, said studs each being characterized by a channel having a central web portion and legs, said web and said legs defining a generally ''''H''''-shaped cross sectional configuration, said legs having as integral extensions of their ends means for engaging said partition members and at points between said ends and offset from said web means for accommodating said brackets.
 8. In a wall assembly having a limited number of parts which include ceiling and floor runners, partition members and studs removably mounted with respect to the runners, and brackets extending outwardly from at least some of said studs, each of said studs having a support web and at least one flange extending from each edge of the web, one surface of said flange being abutted against the back surface of at least one of the partition members; the improvement comprising accommodating means projecting outwardly from the plane of said flange surface for removably accommodating some of the brackets, and at least one leg interposed between said accommodating means and said flange surface and extending between the partition members abutting said surface, said leg extending generally perpendicularly to said accomodating means and having a length which is no greater than the thickness of said partition members. 